What’s up guys, welcome back to Morimoto Lighting. If you have a 2019 up Ram and you’re looking for that LED tail light upgrade, we have something in store for you. These are the Morimoto XB tail lights for your Ram, and in this guide we walk you through exactly what they are and how we installed them ourselves. Before we get into the install, let’s tell you what these things are all about, then we’ll get our hands dirty and show you just how easy the swap really is.
What Makes the Morimoto XB Tail Lights Special
The Morimoto XB tail lights Ram 1500 are a full LED system, meaning the turn signals, reverse lights, and parking lights are all full LED. That means you will not have to change any more bulbs in your tail lights, which is a nice bonus when you are chasing long-term reliability and a clean modern look. While they look radical, they don’t look out of place like a lot of other aftermarket options do. The geometry flows with the body lines of the Ram like a boss, and that factory-integrated feel is exactly what we look for when we test an upgrade like this.
The XB LED tails for your Ram are available with a smoke lens option, which will still illuminate red when the lights come on. This is a big deal because you get that darker, more aggressive look during the day while keeping proper red output at night. One important note we want to hammer home: these are not compatible with the OEM LED tail light trucks. If your Ram already came with factory LED tail lights, these are not the right fit for you, so double-check what your truck came with before ordering.
Build Quality and Design Details
The injection molded ABS housing is lightweight and much stronger than the comparable cheap alternatives you will find floating around. The XB tail lights are durable and use a UV resistant polycarbonate lens, so they are built to survive years of sun exposure without hazing or cracking. When you look inside the tail light, it has that infinity mirror look, which is exactly what a lot of people want out of a modern Ram 1500 LED tail lights upgrade. And when you switch it into reverse, you get that nice bright white look, just like everybody wants when chasing that modern style.
We spent time comparing this design against the factory setup, and the difference is night and day. The infinity look draws the eye without going overboard, and because the housing and lens are engineered for the Ram specifically, everything lines up the way it should. If you want to see the full lineup or compare options, you can browse the Morimoto XB Ram taillights selection to find exactly what suits your truck.
Tools You Need Before You Start
One of the best parts about this install is how little it demands. You do not need a garage full of specialty gear. You need a T25 torque bit to remove the two mounting bolts, and a small pry or wedge tool to release the plastic push tabs and the tailgate clips. That is essentially it. The whole process comes down to removing two T25 torque bits, popping two plastic push tabs, and unplugging a single OEM connector per side. If you can handle basic hand tools, you can handle this 2019+ Ram tail light upgrade in your own driveway.
Step by Step Installation Guide
Now that you know what these lights are all about, let’s get straight into the install. We did this exact process on our own Ram, so everything below is what we actually did, step by step.
Step 1: Lower the Tailgate
The first thing we do is go ahead and lower your tailgate. This gives you the room you need to access the tail light and the mounting hardware behind it. Take it slow here so nothing gets in your way later.
Step 2: Release the Tailgate Cable
Next, you are going to release the tailgate area. Keep in mind you only do this one at a time so your tailgate doesn’t go falling down. We use a little wedge tool, lift up on the tailgate cable, and push forward to release it. Do not rush this part, because releasing both sides at once is a good way to let the tailgate drop unexpectedly.
Step 3: Remove the Two T25 Torque Bits
Now go ahead and remove the two torque bits right here. You will be using a T25 for removing these. They secure the factory tail light in place, so keep them somewhere safe since you will reuse them when you button everything back up.
Step 4: Remove the Plastic Push Tabs
Next you will be removing two plastic push tabs. There is going to be one on top and also one on bottom. You will just use your little pry tool and pry up on the top area to release them. These little tabs hold the housing snug against the body, so once they are out, the tail light is ready to come loose.
Step 5: Disconnect the OEM Harness
With all of those out, you can go ahead and pull on the back of your tail light. There is only one plug on the back. All you have to do is lift up on the little red lever, then pull the connector apart, and set the old tail light aside. That single connector is what makes this such a clean, plug-and-play job.
Step 6: Plug In the Morimoto XB Tail Light
Now go ahead and grab your Morimoto XB and get it plugged in with your OEM harness. Just push down on the connector and also on that little red lever as well to lock it in. Because it connects directly to the factory harness, there is no cutting, no splicing, and no extra wiring to worry about.
Step 7: Reinstall and Test
Now go ahead and put the tail light back in the same way you took it out. With the functions and everything working properly in the tail lights, you can button everything back up. All you have to do is install those torque bits and reinstall your tailgate cable, then do the exact same thing on the passenger side. And just like that, your Morimoto XB tail lights have been installed.
Our Impressions After the Install
Once both sides were in and lit up, the transformation was immediate. The infinity mirror look inside the housing gives the rear end a serious upgrade in presence, and the full LED functions fire crisp and instant. Dropping the truck into reverse showed off that bright white output we mentioned earlier, and it genuinely lights up the area behind the truck better than the factory setup did. The smoke lens still glows a clean red when the parking lights and brakes come on, so you get the darker look without sacrificing safety or legality.
What we appreciate most is how the geometry flows with the body lines. A lot of aftermarket tail lights scream aftermarket, but these read like they could have rolled off the factory line as a premium option. If you are building out the rest of your truck, this is a great starting point, and you can find matching gear for your Ram 1500 to keep the whole look cohesive. Morimoto also offers headlights, interior lights, cargo lights, and more for the 2019 up Ram, so this can be the first of many upgrades.
Who Should Buy These Tail Lights
If you own a 2019 or newer Ram 1500 that came with halogen or standard tail lights, these are an easy recommendation. You get full LED performance, a bulb-free design you never have to service, and a factory-integrated look that holds up under sun and weather thanks to the UV resistant polycarbonate lens and injection molded ABS housing. Just remember the one hard rule: if your truck already has OEM LED tail lights, these are not compatible, so confirm your factory setup before ordering. For everyone else, this is one of the cleanest bolt-on upgrades you can do in an afternoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vehicles are the Morimoto XB tail lights designed for?
They are designed specifically for 2019 and newer Dodge Ram 1500 trucks.
Are the Morimoto XB tail lights fully LED?
Yes, the turn signals, reverse lights, and parking lights are all full LED, so you never have to change bulbs again.
Do the Morimoto XB tail lights work with trucks that already have OEM LED tail lights?
No, the transcript states these are not compatible with trucks that came with OEM LED tail light trucks.
What lens options are available for the Morimoto XB tail lights?
They are available with a smoke lens option that still illuminates red when lit.
What tools are needed to install the Morimoto XB tail lights?
You need a T25 torque bit to remove the mounting bolts and a small pry or wedge tool to release the plastic push tabs and tailgate clips.
Meet the Experts Behind Morimoto
Jimmy Nguyen – Engineering Manager
Jimmy leads engineering at Morimoto, bringing experience across customer support, supplier management, design engineering, and validation testing. His work ensures Morimoto lighting systems are engineered for real-world reliability and long-term performance.
Mike Hicks – Quality Control Manager
Mike oversees quality assurance at Morimoto, with a background spanning returns testing, RMA analysis, vendor quality control, and manufacturer scorecards. His focus is continuous improvement and accountability across the product lifecycle.
